Still unsure of just how she does this, we exit out of Crystal's vision sphere. Alexis is still positioned next to Crystal and I am standing between Carmina and Crystal, who she blames for her current situation. "So you dare strike your Prince, Carmina? You have no one to blame for this but yourself. You have lied to me... directly to my face as if it was nothing. I have no further need for you." Carmina looks at me in shock as she is flung into the wall. She tries to use telekinesis on me only to find that I am able to "block it" as well as overpower her attempt. "Psyre, don't you see what she is trying to do? You have feelings for me and I have feelings for you. She thought that you had feelings for Alexis so she turned you against Alexis first and now she wishes to remove me so that she can have you all to herself? She is twisted and trying to manipulate you." My eyes do not move from Carmina, "I have known for months that Crystal is attracted to me since she told me while we were drunk partying in the spring. She would never betray me though. She would not lie to my face when I asked for the truth. How funny and ironic that we are here at the manor and you talk about manipulating me? Is this not the place where you stole my life from me?" Carmina responds, "I stole nothing from you and I lied to protect you and I would do it again. I gave you power." Crystal interrupts, "You GAVE the Prince nothing! Tell him the truth about Quinto." I look back at Crystal as Carmina mentally strikes her. Crystal receives a sharp pain, but is able to shrug it off, a fireball flies at Carmina as I move Alexis and Crystal behind cover. Carmina removes her jacket and and scowls at me, "When I came to you, you were weak and lost wanting so badly to understand your purpose and I guided you to that purpose and to PsiCoven. We were the coven before you and we will be the coven after you." I smirk, "After me? PsiCoven is mine and so is this coven. I was chosen by the Goddess. You couldn't even follow Her orders either. Who is Quinto, Carmina?" She says nothing and tries to escape using Transcend, but I yank her backwards towards me telekinetically. I shake my head as Carmina creates a Vortex orb in her hand and without moving, I form a Vortex orb of my own that engulfs hers. "You have no idea what I am capable of now." Carmina curses at Crystal calling her a traitor. Crystal stays hidden with Alexis.

As soon as Carmina arrived at Crystal's office, I knew this wasn't going to go well. I figured that if she didn't know why she was summoned before walking in that she would be clued in as soon as her eyes fell on my face. I couldn't even begin to try and hide the anxiety I was feeling about whatever was coming. Psyre wastes no time in getting right to the point with her. I tried not to flinch when his voice echoed through the office, and failed miserably.

When Psyre paused and Carmina spoke up, shifting her eyes across the room to where Crystal and I stand, I immediately assume that the anger and resentment in her gaze was meant for me. Her accusation that 'She is responsible for all of this' cuts through my heart, until I realize that she means Crystal and not me. I was the one who told Psyre that she had lied to him, I was the one that offered her up as the sacrificial lamb to save my own worthless hide; so why was her anger directed to Crystal?

Before I can find out why Carmina blames Crystal, Psyre requests to be taken somewhere more private to continue this... would you call an interaction where psychic attacks are traded back and forth a meeting? No matter the answer, I did not expect to be taken along for the ride. When the bubbles surround the others, one comes around me as well and I am pulled closer to Crystal to prepare for the journey.

When the journey is finished I have no clue where we end up but have no time to wonder or look around thanks to Psyre immediately starting back in on Carmina. More attacks are flung back and forth keeping my attention but what I was really focused on were the words being spat from Carmina's mouth. As bad as it sounds to be standing here witnessing the product of my snitching, my curiosity was certainly piqued by the revelations being spoken before me. I was given a whole new insight into the dynamic between Carmina and Psyre and.... wait, Crystal wants Psyre too? Bad enough to try and turn him against Carmina... and turn him against me? Why me? What does this guy have that makes him so irresistible? Is he the reincarnation of John Holmes or something? Why would Crystal want to turn him against me? Even if he cares about me as an employee, all she would have had to do was get to know me to realize that I know my place when it comes to guys like him. Meaning that I know better than to even dream of it.

The two of them go on until Crystal buts in and tells Carmina to tell Psyre the truth about some person named Quinto. Ok here is where I get lost... and pushed by Psyre with Crystal behind cover do he can torch the place... this thing is getting out of control. Coven... PsiCoven... so there's a real coven too? That's umm... kinda strange, am I working for witches? That would have been nice to cover in the interview. Psyre was chosen by the Goddess? Which Goddess? Did I fall into another group of religious zealots? I thought I had escaped all that when I left the nuns at the orphanage.

Since I wasn't alone in this protected hiding place, I look to Crystal with wide fearful eyes. Whispering as softly as I can, I ask the one question I couldn't quite bring myself to think. "Is he going to kill her?" 604

Crystal is rubbing her right temple with her right hand when the question comes. Crystal knew the answer to that but it was more complex. More had to occur that Alexis could not be made fully aware of. It was already at the point that Alexis might be learning too much as it is, but Crystal could not avoid that now. Crystal didn't give a damn about my inclinations regarding Alexis' lack of corporate exposure and/or experience, with Carmina being removed from the equation, she would have to step up and she would also have to select and groom a new Chief Operating Officer for Strategic Operations Corps and a separate one for Security Force. While it meant more individuals involved and having to be trusted by me, it would also weaken the power base below me. Crystal knows that she cannot allow a single individual to amass so much clout and influence with me that I allow myself to be blinded again. She also had to tread carefully so that she would not run into the issue of me being concerned or paranoid about everyone. When she looks over at Alexis, all Crystal says is, "He will not kill her tonight." Crystal maintains a serious look about her as she tells Alexis to stay covered.

Carmina and I trade attacks and harsh words. She tells me that I am too blinded by my own pride to see when I am truly being manipulated. I smirk and tell her that her tricks won't work on me. "It is a sad day when the Guardian finds herself weaker than her charge." She replies that she simply doesn't want to hurt me. I laugh as a javelin of fire connects and burns her arm. "You... hurt me? Give me your best shot." Carmina tries to strike me mentally, but she feels my newest application of my telekinetic control. She feels significant pressure building against her temples that causes her to lose focus and control. The pressure builds as her legs buckle underneath her and she falls to the floor. "The mind will always vanquish the sword, Carmina. The library below holds many interesting facts. You should have studied more." Carmina unleashes a forceful push back that knocks me back and into the air. Carmina sends an energy blast into the air after me. It hits me and knocks me back into the wall. "Now that felt... interesting. I like that power. It will suit me nicely!"

Crystal listens and smiles faintly, "He is ready now. Alexis, in a moment, you're going to need to move again. Hide behind that column when I tell you to move and stay there. Regardless of what she thinks she knows, you are not be harmed in any of this. Also, I need you remember something for me in case he is not ready and the less desirable outcome comes to pass, "Psyre has to go visit his father in the hospital tonight. You need to move into the suites at the end of this week. In my desk on the right side, you will find the contact information for the mentor that I had planned to select for you. He will be able to guide you as your right hand on the rest of your own path of corporate ascension. You must believe in yourself in all matters that are to come."

Crystal's answer to my question isn't exactly the stuff assurances were made of but she knew the future better than I do so I couldn't argue. News that Psyre wouldn't kill Carmina tonight eases a small part of the fear I was experiencing for the other woman, that leaves open the option for him to do it another time, which is not something that I want to see. Since I still felt responsible for everything happening here, I didn't want to see any of it come to this. What I really wanted to do was run out there between the two of them and try to make them stop.

Before I have a chance to lose my mind and throw all sense of self preservation to the wind, Crystal speaks to me again and this time her words really do begin to scare me. She tells me that Psyre is ready for something but of course she leaves out what exactly that something is and then says that I am going to have to move over behind a nearby column soon. That wasn't the truly scary part for it was to come next. She tells me to remember things for her... as if she wasn't planning on being around much longer for whatever reason, even going so far as to mention the possibility of a 'less desirable' outcome. I am really not liking the sound of any of this but unable to see a way to stop it, I am forced to pay attention and make mental notes of everything she says.

Psyre is to go visit his father in the hospital tonight; I move into the new suites at the end of the week (Shit! That means I have to find a way to tell Lance); Right side of Crystal's desk contains the name and contact information for my chosen mentor; and believe in myself in all things that are to come. Check on the first and third, the second and fourth were going to be a bit more difficult.

Nodding to Crystal to let her know that I understand her instructions despite being completely in the dark as to their purpose at this time; I glance to the aforementioned column and work out my planned path while waiting for her signal. 383

The attacks continue to exchange between Carmina and I and if Alexis or Crystal were observing this it would appear as if I was enjoying this. Carmina did not share in my delight, but I did not much care if she did or not. Suddenly, my eyes begin to glow faintly at first but radiate more and more energy as I seem to be harnessing energy to myself. A swarm of fire sprites keeps Carmina busy as they burn and attack her relentlessly. The cream colored suit that covers my body flutters as if a wind is moving around me and vibrations in the air. An orb appears in front and in back of Carmina. The sprites keep her from truly reacting to this development. As the third and fourth orbs begin to take form around her the first two activate. Carmina screams out in pain as the sprites dissipate into the vortex orbs. Crystal distracts me calling out, "Psyre, do not!" Crystal looks at Alexis and nods to her, "Go now. You won't be hit." Carmina's anger supersedes her pain as she hears Crystal's voice. She flings a torch holder at me telekinetically. I "catch" it before it can hit me and return it at her. It stabs her in her shoulder and pins her to the wall away from me. She looks at me and tells me that I should have kill her when I had the chance. "If I lose my Prince, then so does she. I loved you once, Psyre. Now you will understand what being truly alone feels like."

Quickly, I look back at Crystal and she is bleeding. There is a torch holder piercing her bosom. Within a blink, I appear at her side which might give Alexis the impression that I can teleport. I use my telekinetic powers to place Crystal atop the altar. Carmina laughs as sadness feels my very core. I throw a fireball at her and she vanishes. Damn it! My sadness and anger mix like two very volatile, combustible ingredients as I react to this, "Damn it, Crystal! Why did you have to stop me?!" She looks at me and tells me that it is time for Quinto to truly wake up before our journey together. "This is not the time for riddles." She speaks plainly, "Heal me, Psyre." She speaks directly into my mind and I didn't even know that she possessed the telepathy power. "Quinto is the true name of the kami spirit within you. Carmina lied to you about mixing spirits. You have had your spirit since he was wounded in the war and came to the mortal realm for refuge. He found you as a young boy when you were 9. You got sick b/c of Quinto, but you also got better because of him. You are awakening his spirit in near perfect symbiosis. The oni blood is tainting that, but you are going to be able to conquer and harness it. I will not die having lied to you. I am not human, Psyre, but an outcast Kamikonjou named Crystanale. Mr. Coremanti's true family took me in and raised me as their own child. When I started to unlock my powers, they even trained me to utilize my gifts. They sent me to you to help you find Quinto. Now that you are awakening his latent powers, it is time for you to return. This weekend you will travel to the other side." I look at her and tell her to save her strength. Unable to speak telepathically due to the strain it puts on her, "Embrace your kami side and you will know all that you need to, Psyre."

She closes her eyes and I look at her. "Crystal. Crystal, wake up! Crystal!" When she does not move, my emotions explode in an unnatural eruption of my telekinetic powers. That pulse that is released dents the walls and moves everything away from Crystal and I towards the walls (suggestion: duck or jump back behind the column! Remember who suggested that). My eyes turn completely red as I bell out uncontrollably in anguish. This is a feeling that hits me deep in my core. I cannot shake this feeling of despair and darkness that is filling my heart. None of my powers are able to be controlled as there is a near tempest of my powers swirling about unchecked in this room. I can hear an audible voice (if you are able to pay attention, you can hear the voice too) telling me that I need to gain control over myself. "A true strategist knows that loss is a possibility and can accept that losses will be incurred. A Kamihume Strategist has the power to reject Death's Embrace! You must not lose focus if you wish to save her! Psyre, heal her now!!!"

I begin levitating and speaking in a language that even I don't understand. My eyelids conceal all distractions from me as the torch holder is flung from her chest. I fall silent for a moment and my eyes shoot open glowing a radiant gold. Crystal's body covers in a gold aura that outlines her form. The chant continues softly and the glow around her gets brighter and brighter around the wound. My energy is fading quickly as I am pouring everything I have into healing her and then adding more. I cannot allow her to die. I will save her. I must save her! Come on, Crystanale! Fight this! This is not your time to die! Not like this." I stop chanting and focus my mind's energies on her body. I set my mind in line with her body and allow my mind to work as the healer on her wounds. So much pain... I will bear this pain for you, Crystanale. You are not dead because I will not allow it to be so...

Sounds of the altercation between Psyre and Carmina elevate to the point where I was reconsidering my idea of jumping out there and trying to talk some sense into them. Even though I knew it would be next to suicide to even try, since neither of them seemed to have any sense left by now, I felt worthless hiding here while the two of them tried to destroy each other. I am jerked from my thoughts by the sound of Crystal's voice as it fills the room. Before I could react properly, she looks back to me and tells me to make that move now.

I had agreed to follow her direction when it came but now that it had I didn't want to run for cover. I didn't want to leave her, not after what she had just said. In the end, really no more than a heartbeat after the order was given, I made the run for the column and ducked down behind it while squeezing my eyes closed. I didn't want to watch what happened next, didn't want to see my fears become truth.

Even with my eyes closed I knew what was happening. Carmina's words to Psyre made it clear, and made me step out from the column to see. Crystal had been hit and was bleeding, Psyre appears by her side a fraction of a second before Carmina laughs and vanishes. Another step takes me closer to Crystal and Psyre where he has placed her upon some altar like thing. I felt like I was a ghost in the room. Like they were the only two here and I was an invisible spectator. I watch silently as the two of them share what could easily be the woman's last moment of life. There was silence, the kind that is so thick it fills the lungs and threatens to crush the heart. I knew I shouldn't be here for this, I wasn't meant to see this, but I had no idea where I was so I couldn't really leave.

Psyre breaks the silence and yells for Crystal to wake up. When she doesn't follow his command, the power that dwells within his mortal body seems to break free and fill the room. A wave of energy radiates from his body, pushing everything towards the walls... everything except me. I truly was invisible at this point. I wasn't even moved with the rest of the furniture, though I wasn't willing to put this to the test so much as to let a chair that was hurled my way take me with it. After dodging the chair, I step back to my original position.

By this time my cheeks are wet with silent tears and my thoughts are filled with prayers for the dying woman. When another voice I do not know comes into the room I almost miss it due to those prayers. Pausing the communication of my mind, I listen to the new words but am not able to understand them. I cannot see how strategy would help a mere mortal save Crystal from her death. Obviously the words were not meant for my ears and therefore understanding would not be mine.

The message changes something in Psyre, it seems to return his focus or something like that. At this point I am so lost that a pink elephant could dance through the room and I would be just fine with it. This was my boss and the two women who work under him but outrank me, this kind of drama and heady stuff should not be tied to a business arrangement. For the first time in more than half a year I was beginning to wish for that dank basement. At least I knew who I was and where I stood there.

Watching the man levitate into the air while chanting a strange language I have never heard before, my eyes shift between his form and the lifeless woman atop the alter. Prayer for a miracle would do no good here, Crystal was beyond the reach of any god I knew... Psyre was indeed her only hope now. 693

Inside of Crystal's mind, I look around and try to figure out what's going on. Things are badly damaged and dark here. Orbs of fire illuminate the area as I walk around searching for the reason why I would end up here. I move debris about but nothing jumps out at me until I catch sight of a light in the distance. Walking towards the light, I find what must be the central system of this hall. I place my hand on a glowing orb of psychic energy and attune it to my own. The orb goes from silver to gold back to silver before it swirls with both colors. The orb sends out harpoons of energy in all directions as it hardens into a sort of cocoon or chrysalis. I stand guard over feeding more energy into it focusing on memories and experiences with Crystal. While my floating body is working diligently within her mind, I manage to jump start her mind to fix her body as it has the knowledge but it cannot always access it if you don't know how. To be perfectly honest, I am not even sure myself how I know how to do this, but I am very glad that I can. In the midst of all of this, Crystal's body rises from the altar and floats into my arms. If Alexis looks at this scene, she would swear that she saw flaming wings sprout from back and envelope Crystal protectively before they vanish and the room becomes much hotter.

After a few minutes pass, the flaming wings would "appear" again in full wingspan with my feet planted on the altar and Crystal elevated in my arms with her feet off the ground. My eyes open and I begin chanting in the strange language again tho I am not there at all. The altar cracks under my feet. Several other cracks appear in the altar before it shatters beneath me and our bodies continue floating above the rubble. Crystal opens her eyes and lays her head against my chest before my eyes return to normal and we fall to the floor. She catches us before we hit the floor and finds that I am badly wounded. My body becomes very hot to the touch and she sighs in relief. A weak female voice speaks, "Alexis? Are you alive over there? We need to go. It's not safe here." Crystal drips her own blood into the rubble as I spit up blood onto the rubble myself. My breathing is faint, but improving rapidly. If Alexis was observing me still, she would notice the wounds that had scattered about me were disappearing before her very eyes. Crystal looks at me as I am regaining my strength. "Don't ever worry me like that again. I thought I had lost you." She caresses my cheek, "I was a necessary sacrifice in order for you to know the truth and accept the truth. Alexis needed to be here to understand you and also to force you to move in the direction that you need to progress. Do you notice that did not harm her. Your telekinetic outburst completely moved around her. I do not know why, but you cannot bring yourself to hurt her and I needed her to see that as well. She is seeing your darker secrets and in time, she will come to trust you with her own. You are getting better with your psychic healing. You were able to transfer your healing ability to me weren't you?" I tell her that I don't understand what happened but I do understand that everything has changed. "Are you hurt, Alexis? I don't have to ask if you're alright as the events that have transpired strongly prevent that from being the case."

672/1831

Upgrade: Support: Heal (1831/2500)Unlock: Support: Heal (1000/1000)

Last edited by Psi_Prince on Fri Jul 10, 2009 4:34 am; edited 1 time in total

This is the stuff normal people's nightmares are made of, but am I lucky enough to be able to pinch myself and wake up from all of this? Hell no. Just like with the demon and with my father's death, there is no waking up from this. Since Psyre is obviously off in his own little world of levitation and chanting and Crystal is... I don't even want to think about that right now... my best option is to go find that chair that almost hit me and have a seat. Worst case scenario, if the man starts throwing furniture around again and I am once again not affected I can always activate my own hover ability and hang out in the air until the storm passes.

During the verbal exchange with Carmina, a library beneath this room had been mentioned. As I dragged the chair away from the wall and curled up in it, I wondered if Psyre would be 'out of touch' long enough to warrant my attempting to navigate this place to find the library and return. I hoped it wouldn't but I couldn't be sure. I was so lost that I couldn't even begin to work out these events in my mind. I would give anything for a hot soothing bath and a month of sleep right now.

After some time, not too long but long enough for me to reconsider the book hunting idea, Psyre seems to change again as Crystal's body floats up and in to his arms. What look to be wings of fire frame his form and then wrap around Crystal before they are gone from sight. Shaking my head I wonder if I have finally cracked. Flaming wings? Come on, that's almost as bad as a pink elephant that releases green bubbles from his butt.

Another span of time later I see the wings again, and think again that I have completely lost my ever loving mind. This time though, Psyre descends to the altar and stands upon it as it begins to crack and break beneath him. Once the altar becomes little more than rubble, their bodies begin to fall to the floor. At this change I jump from the chair and run towards them as if I coudl actually break their fall. Luckily Crystal is able to do that instead. Another personal moment passes between them, making me feel ashamed to be within earshot, but toward the end of Crystal's response my name is mentioned.

Listening to her give me the answers to the questions I had been asking, I sigh and shake my head. Life would be a lot simpler if people just told you things you need to know. All of this 'watch and see' and 'learn by experience' was going to be the death of me someday. At the end of everything said, Psyre asks if I am hurt. This is the first time I speak since asking my only question aloud. "I am fine. Strange occurrences become more real than not over time."508

Having confirmed that Alexis is alright, I place my hand on Crystal's chest and speak softly, "Mend these wounds." My left hand glows with a haze of energy swirling about it before it starts flowing into her chest to slowly heal her wounds. Crystal looks at me and backs away from me. "You are hurting yourself which is unacceptable. I will be fine. You'll healed the wound." I look at her and tell her that I cannot lose her too. She tells me that she will not allow me to be left alone. I nod to her and the orbs surround each of us. The door to the altar room bursts open as we are leaving and a brief staredown occurs.

We arrive back in Crystal's office around 3 PM. I look at Crystal and tell her that I need a complete security sweep done now. I want Carmina found and brought to me. Crystal shakes her head at me, "She is not looking to hurt you financially as she has someone higher to worry about. She will come after me before she comes after you. You have other matters to focus on. You have someone to visit, don't you?" I turn and look at her. "I no longer wish to see him. Let him die for all I care." Crystal looks at me and shakes her head again as she goes into her closet and pulls out a suit for me to wear. She tells me to go change and get cleaned up so that I can stare at myself in the mirror to improve my mood. I smirk and walk into her bathroom. Her bathroom doesn't have a shower in it like mine does, but then again I suppose that is a benefit of being the boss, huh?

Crystal pulls out another outfit before she looks at Alexis and notices that her garbs are fine. "Good, you really aren't hurt. I was worried that you were just saying that to appease him. Psyre is in a delicate state right now. He needs to visit the hospital, but as you can see, he's in a foul mood, so you no longer have to remind him of the hospital, but now you get to accompany him. Keep Psyre in a good mood however you must and you will find your assignment should become so much easier. I will handle security here. Go grab your purse and return. Actually..." Crystal creates an orb showing Alexis' office and puts her hand thru it to retrieve her purse. She pulls it back out and hands the purse to Alexis. "There you are, Ms. Andrews. I can see that you and I are going to have to work on you not always being so invisible. You don't want to stand out all the time, but you need to command attention if you want to be a leader. You have to be able to display charisma from time to time." She calls my driver and tells him to have the car ready downstairs to take me to the hospital and remain for at least two hours.

I emerge from the bathroom in a tan brown suit with a white collared shirt and tan brown vest. I forgot that Crystal generally keeps two clean suits in here for me in case something happens in my office like once before. That was a great meeting, but my suit pants didn't like it much. Crystal nods to me and says, "You're going to the hospital and you're not driving. Since I cannot accompany you due to adjustments that must be made, Ms. Andrews has graciously volunteered to go in my place. Your car should be ready by now and your driver already has instructions. You have your phone, so you can check on reports and emails while you go. I will speak to Him and make sure that he knows that we have everything under control. Do not let your heart become blackened ice, Psyre. You are a Prince no matter what and he is your father. You cannot change that."

Knowing that I am not going to win this one, I look over at Alexis and tell her to come on. We walk to the center elevator and take it downstairs to the parking garage. Once we get off the door to the backseat of the car is open and waiting. I let Alexis climb in first, both being a gentleman and as a safety precaution. I climb in after her and the car drives off for the hospital. I did not want to see and even moreso, I didn't want to see him looking frail and dying. It dawns on me that I could probably help his condition, but why would I? What has he ever done to show love to me? Hell, what have any of them done? I calm myself before my temper erupts and turn on some music. "Cello list." The first song that turns on is "Peace" by Apocalyptica. My words follow the sigh that releases upon recognizing the song, "I love this song. Hmph. I bet you never expected all of this when you came to work for me, huh?" I smirk as I lay my head back. That was probably a major understatement. Ha ha ha.

Now that the attention had shifted away from me again, I stand in silence while the two of them speak and while Psyre heals some more of Crystal's injuries. Not much more time passes before the orbs once again surround us and we are transported back in to Crystal's office where this little escapade had begun.

When I notice the time upon our return I can do nothing to stop my heart from sinking to my stomach. So much for making progress on that dossier today, with only a couple hours left in the work day I would have to wrap up what loose ends I could and get ready to dive back in tomorrow.

Or so I thought. The two of them have another conversation that I have no business interrupting which ends with Crystal convincing Psyre to get cleaned up and changed in her office bathroom. It was starting to get very boring just standing around like an ottoman or something. If my presence through all of this today was to teach me just how much I did not know about or how much I would have to change myself to be what Psyre was hoping I could be, it certainly was working.

Once the man was finally in the bathroom righting himself Crystal turned her attention to me and began to speak. She mentions being glad that I wasn't injured and thinking I might have just been saying I was fine to appease Psyre, which wouldn't make much sense after promising not to lie, but I didn't think now was the time to bring that back up. While the original promise had been not to lie to Crystal I had decided within my own mind to extend it to include Psyre as well. This entire misunderstanding was coming from my following Carmina's advice and keeping my living arrangement from the man, I wasn't too keen on repeating the same mistake again. Of course I wasn't going to start opening up to him and telling him my life story either, but when it came to things he might need to know I would no longer hold back information.

As the woman continues to speak it would seem that she has chosen me to accompany Psyre to visit his dying father in the hospital. I do not like the sound of this but since I understand that she is needed here and that I cannot see to the important matters she needs to, I don't really have a choice in the matter. As if I don't already have enough daddy issues of my own, now I get to ride along and babysit Psyre through some of his. No matter how he feels about the man, I wasn't looking forward to seeing anyone's dying father, too many bad memories there. As if on cue, Crystal's words trigger the visual montage of my own father's death at the hands of the demon. Since this wasn't the first time these images have come back to haunt me I was able to keep my same expression and not react to the awful sights running through my mind.

How was I supposed to keep Psyre in a good mood when the whole subject of dying father's automatically put me in a sour one? Maybe I could pass sour off as quiet and let the man think I was just being contemplative. Not that that would put him in a good mood or anything, but it would be better than him seeing me ride all the way there wearing a scowl.

When Crystal pulls my purse out of thin air from where it was safely stored down the hallway, I take it from her hand with a murmur of thanks. I wondered in passing how I could come to learn some of the handy tricks she seemed to know. That orb travel in particular was interesting. My thoughts are brought to an abrupt halt when the woman comments on my needing to work on not always being so invisible. There is a flare of my temper before I force it down to a simmer and clear my throat. "Forgive me, I didn't think the recent events were an appropriate time for me to take a stand and make myself known. Emotions were running high and my being partially at fault made it seem unwise to jump in and speak my peace. I do not think it wise to jump in between two people who are obviously stronger than I am when it comes to our special talents. The thought did cross my mind, but had I acted on my instincts, I have a sneaky suspicion that it would have been me that was impaled with the torch. Seeing what your being injured did to him, I doubt the outcome would have been the same had I been the one in your place."

When Psyre emerges from the bathroom looking much healthier than he had walking in, I offer him a slight smile and wait for Crystal to deliver the news of the afternoon's plan. While he didn't exactly seem thrilled upon finding out I would be tagging along on his very private visit to his father, he also didn't voice his displeasure aloud. I took that as a good sign and followed when commanded.

Once in the garage, I climb into the car first at Psyre's insistence and wait for him to settle in beside me. When he called for music to fill the car, I allow a genuine smile to grace my face. I had to admit that the man had impeccable tastes in just about every area I have seen so far. Before I can give in to temptation to lay my head back and enjoy the rich notes flowing from the sound system, the man speaks and causes me to let out a soft chuckle. "You can sure say that again. It isn't anything like I expected but even after everything I wouldn't ever wish to go back and change my answer that first night. Thank you again for making all of this possible for me."1024